Multi-Piece Stator Valve for High-Pressure Biocompatible Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid chromatography systems face challenges with leak-proof connections, particularly in high-pressure applications, which are time-consuming and inefficient, and may contaminate biological samples due to the use of stainless steel components that can react with biological materials.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece stator assembly valve design with a removable stator plate allows for flexible material use and easier maintenance, featuring flat-bottomed ports for face-sealing fitting assemblies and biocompatible materials to prevent contamination and simplify fluid connections under high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel components are used for high-pressure connections, then connection strength and pressure resistance are improved, but contamination of biological samples occurs due to reactions with biological materials
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple components including a stator body, stator plate, and rotor assembly that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows different materials to be used in different parts - stainless steel for structural components requiring strength and biocompatible materials for parts contacting samples, thereby resolving the contradiction between connection strength and sample contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material construction where stainless steel provides the structural framework for high-pressure resistance while biocompatible materials (such as PEEK, titanium, or ceramic coatings) are used for surfaces contacting biological samples. This composite approach simultaneously achieves both connection strength and contamination prevention
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional single-piece stator design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but maintenance difficulty and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stator is designed as a multi-component assembly with a stator body and a removable stator plate that can be separated. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity for each individual component while enabling easy maintenance - the stator plate can be removed and replaced without disassembling the entire valve, significantly reducing maintenance difficulty and contamination risk
3Reliability
If tool-based connection systems are used for leak-proof connections, then connection reliability is improved, but operation time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates self-aligning and self-sealing features where the rotor and stator geometries are designed to automatically align and form leak-proof connections upon engagement without requiring external tools. The interlocking surfaces and sealing elements are configured to self-adjust during assembly, achieving both high connection reliability and rapid tool-free operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Valve with multi-piece stator assembly for use with liquid chromatography or other analytical systems, A separate and removable stator plate is provided with a mounting device to provide a multi-piece stator assembly. The mounting device is adapted on one side to engage and contact the stator plate, and on the other side includes a plurality of ports for fluidic connections which are in fluid communication with fluid passageways in the stator plate. By making the stator face a separate component, the overall costs of the valve can be reduced, different materials can be used for the mounting device and the stator, and the valve can be used for ultra-high pressure applications, including in liquid chromatography and other analytical instrument systems.